Mushroom-based packaging: New York-based Ecovative Designs has developed its EcoCradle packaging to compete with materials like Styrofoam. Consisting of agricultural byproducts, the material uses mushroom roots to “bond this packaging into almost any shape.” (via The Christian Science Monitor)

Another off-grid charger run-down: Need to charge up the phone or laptop, and nowhere near a plug? PC World tests out some of the latest charging devices powered by sun and wind.